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After trading for All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick in March, the New York Jets will trade him away before training camp even begins, according to a prediction by Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine.
“Thus far, the New York Jets’ trade for Haason Reddick is looking like one of the most baffling decisions of the offseason,” Ballentine wrote in a July 11 story on “7 bold predictions” for training camps, which starts July 18. “It’s a wild possibility [to trade Reddick] given what the Jets just gave up to get him, but the whole situation has been unusual from the jump. With Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson as possible high-potential young starters, the Jets may have to explore that option.”
It would be one of the most surprising moves in modern NFL history.
“Basically, the Jets traded for a contract dispute,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote on July 9. “It’s a tricky situation.”
Haason Reddick Was a No-Show for Workouts
The Jets traded for Reddick in March, giving the Philadelphia Eagles a conditional 2026 draft pick. However, nothing has been normal about the situation since the move.
Reddick, who will turn 30 in September and who is on the final year of a three-year, $45 million deal, is looking for a new contract extension but has yet to agree to a deal with his new team.
To make matters worse, Reddick was absent from offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported that the Jets are still unsure whether Reddick will even report to training camp, noting a lack of communication between the two parties.
There’s still time for the two sides to agree on a new deal, or at least table the conversation and have Reddick report to training camp. However, his absence has made his initial comments upon joining the team even more interesting.
“All options are open,” Reddick said at the time. “Right now I’m just worried about being here, meeting everybody. … But whatever happens, I’m going to be happy. …No matter how it goes, how many years, I’m going to be here for however long I’m here for and I’m going to give the team, the fans, everything that I have.”
It’s not a great look for the Jets. But there’s still time for the offseason drama to go away ahead of the 2024 season, Ballentine suggested.
The Jets Have Some Promising Young Pass Rushers
Regardless of what happens with Reddick, the Jets still have a pair of pass rushers with real potential.
General manager Joe Douglas used a pair of first-round picks on pass rushers in 2022 and 2023. Jermaine Johnson was the team’s pick two years ago, and has quickly established himself as a budding star. He tripled his sack production in 2023, earning Pro Bowl honors with 7.5 sacks.
Meanwhile, the Jets are hopeful that Will McDonald IV can have a similar ascension in 2024. A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection at Iowa State, McDonald recorded three sacks in his rookie season. A big step forward this season could help him towards reaching his full potential.
Reddick would still be the established star pass-rusher. But if things don’t go well with the former All-Pro, the Jets at least have some backup options.
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